“The Judge may not have the opportunity to look into a child’s eyes and hear his story direct. We are the messengers for these children.”

-Debbie T., GAL Volunteer

Photo Credit National CASA

Welcome to the District 9 Guardian ad Litem Program!

The District 9 Guardian ad Litem Program serves the counties of Franklin, Vance, Warren, and Granville. Our mission is to provide trained and independent advocates to represent and promote the best interests of abused, neglected, and dependent children in the state court system, and to work towards a plan that ensures that these children are in a safe, permanent home.

The Starfish

As the old man walked the beach at dawn, he noticed a young man ahead of him picking up starfish and flinging them into the sea.

Finally catching up with the youth, he asked him why he was doing this. The answer was that the stranded starfish would die if left until the morning sun.

“But the beach goes on for miles, and there are millions of starfish,” countered the old man. “How can your effort make a difference?”

The young man looked at the starfish in his hand and then threw it into the safety of the waves. “It makes a difference to this one,” he said.